"Two things are to be greatly
avoided by those who earnestly seek eternal life: the first is an
opinion of their merits or deservings, which is not only understood,
but condemned by the due consideration of the law: and the second is
the love of riches, which turns aside many from that race in which
they ran with a good courage."

"Those who thus eagerly seek
the wealth of the world, will never rightly prize Christ and his
grace. Also, as to the greatness of the salvation of those who have
but little of this world, and leave it for Christ."

"He shall receive a hundred
fold, houses, &c. - Not in the same kind: for it will
generally be with persecutions: but in value: a hundred fold more
happiness than any or all of these did or could afford. But let it
be observed, none is entitled to this happiness, but he that will
accept it with persecutions."

"What is it Jesus is asking of you and your congregation right now, Dear Partner? I have no idea. That’s something you and your people will need to figure out? But, if you’re anything like me, when you hear his voice first you’ll freeze, terrified that you’ve been found out, and grieving all the plans you’d made for the perfect life. But then you’ll hear him speak again, uttering a word that binds only to set free, that wounds only to heal, that kills only to make alive again."

"When we can admit our attachment to our wealth, then we can remember that the saints and heroes of our faith have consistently taught us that the only way to free ourselves from our wealth is to give as much of it away as we possibly can."

"Jesus says that it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. Maybe the reason is not that the rich are so wicked they're kept out of the place but that they're so out of touch with reality they can't see it's a place worth getting into."

"I am fascinated by the rich man who kneels at the feet of Jesus today. Is it possible that he actually believes he has kept all the commandments all of his life? Is this arrogance or eagerness? What do you think?"

"Can we just admit that most of us kind of stink at doing stewardship? I know that sounds like an awful thing for me to say, but if you would, hear me out."Can we just admit that most of us kind of stink at doing stewardship? I know that sounds like an awful thing for me to say, but if you would, hear me out.

"The
Rich Getting into Heaven Is Like a Camel..." Michael A. Turton's
Historical Commentary on the Gospel of Mark, "a
complete verse-by-verse commentary on the Gospel of Mark, focusing on the
historicity of people, places, events, and sayings in the world of the
Gospel of Mark."

"Perhaps... the problem was his
attitude towards the 'many possessions' -- that they were symbols of
having been blessed by God. He couldn't give up these symbols of his
'good' life in order to receive the heavenly treasure."

"In
terms of rhetorical background, our survey of "questions" indicates that how
they function more often than not as competitive, even hostile weapons intended to inflict
major damage. Questions score points, draw blood, and shame opponents. The same
interpretation applies equally to the phenomenon of answering a question with a
counter-question, which also is an aggressive weapon. And by observing who is reduced to
silence, we have narrative clues about who triumphed in the question game and who
lost"